Posts by Paul Rogers94

neonmarlin39 said:Look, whether you show up or disappear, whether you exist or not, the entire universe is still just... there. It’s still existing. Objective reality doesn't give a damn about you or any other individual. The cosmos doesn't care about your mind or how you perceive things—it exists regardless of your presence or lack thereof.

So, we’re back at square one again 😁

Could you maybe explain—even if it's just a rough outline—how you actually landed on that conclusion? What kind of reasoning brought you there, or are you just certain it's true?
It seems to me there's really only one way to figure that out...

In some way—and admittedly within my own limited capacity—I try to draw a conclusion, yet you just swoop in with categorical assertions, quotes, and sources, expecting some sort of high-level dialogue...

And the universe, much like the one being imagined, is just a fantasy within a fantasy—whether anyone likes it or not. 😉

By the way, I started a thread the other day asking whether the observable universe is real or an illusion, and I reached some "final" conclusions there 😵. If it makes any sense to you, you could probably flesh them out with your own thoughts—feel free to take a look.

Peace

bluemason3 said:A non-diabetic endocrinologist and an endocrinologist with diabetes will have the exact same level of knowledge. Their expertise comes down to their education and clinical commitment, not their own medical diagnosis.

If experience alone equaled true knowledge, primitive people would still think the sun is a divine chariot circling the globe, or that the Earth is a flat disc resting on a turtle's back in a sea of milk.
Experience is overrated because our senses, perceptions, and cognitive abilities are fundamentally limited and unreliable.

#selfknowledge 😍

But spiritual experiences are extrasensory and beyond the physical—otherwise, they aren't spiritual experiences at all. Though, granted, our interpretations of them can be unreliable and total garbage. Can we at least agree on that?🙂

You can only say then that they aren't "personal" experiences—because they aren't.
Only the interpretations are personal.
A spiritual experience isn't actually an "experience."
It's more of an insight—an realization that there is no one there to have any experience in the first place. There is no subject, no director supposedly moderating these supposed experiences, whether they be sensory, emotional, or conceptual.
And if there is no subject (no point of view), then nothing else exists either.
The perceived universe arises with the subject and vanishes with the subject; they are interdependent. Without an observer, there is nothing to be observed.

Do these claims stem from my personal experience? No. They stem from an impersonal insight.

To be honest, the very term "personal experience" is an oxymoron when applied to spiritual insights.

bluemason3 said:OK 🤣

Experience is actual knowledge—everything else is just theory (mostly hollow, unless it’s actually backed by experience)
How is a non-diabetic endocrinologist based in the US supposed to understand diabetes any better than an endocrinologist who actually lives with it? Both are specialists in America, after all...

bluemason3 said:Sure, you can't have a hallucinogenic experience without using hallucinogens, but that doesn't mean you know more about how they work than someone who hasn't used them.

It's like how you don't know what it's like to be a diabetic if you aren't one, but being a diabetic doesn't mean you know more about the disease than a doctor who isn't.

Solid knowledge is more important than lived experience because it's less prone to subjective interpretations, biases, and projections. It's based on a much larger sample size.

I respectfully, yet thoroughly, disagree with everything stated here... 🕺

frozengull2 said:Are you actually sure about that... that I'm not sharing my own experiences?

I know I might not have been your favorite person, considering I used to give you a hard time—just friendly banter, really—back when we were hanging out online. So now that you've got a chance to get even, you're rushing to jump to conclusions.

I think you are.

Anyway, let me hit you with another question.
Do you consider yourself someone who actually shares their own lived experiences?
And if you do, can you actually link or show us an example to back that up?
I’m not calling you out for quoting or attaching random snippets or whatever junk you pull.
You’re a pro at that!
To put it bluntly...

I'm asking about personal experiences on a spiritual level (which is basically the only thing that actually matters).

🙂

You honestly think I care about anyone's whining—including yours? This forum is far too insignificant for me to even notice anyone's venting, though I do enjoy poking the bear occasionally just for the fun of it.

It’s rare that I even bother to read your posts, or anyone else's, unless something truly interesting catches my eye. I don't obsess over what you write; I just notice when you pop in to play around and then vanish, maybe dropping a recommendation for some overpriced crap along the way.

If someone can actually provide a link to a "personal experience," then it isn't a personal experience anymore. That said, I usually speak from the perspective of my own life, and I feel zero need to convince anyone—including myself—of their validity, nor do I think it's even possible.

And this isn't some kind of revenge, nor would such a thing ever cross my mind. Do you really think I'm that pathetic? Your frustrated outbursts are actually entertaining to me. Honestly, I don't hold any ill will toward you, nor have I spent any real time dwelling on your little shortcomings. Feel free to vent at me all you want. 😁

lonestag15 said:So, here’s one of today's "top-tier" gurus... Nithyananda!
... just a quick little demo via two videos... takes maybe 10 minutes tops, and honestly, it’s pretty hilarious to watch—if you can wrap your head around how this guy and his followers actually function

Regarding that massive ego trip he pulls (or tries to force onto his followers)

And check out his logic on how many extra years he's planning to tack onto his lifespan

Oh, and here’s him working his little magic on the crowd

.... man... (God, if you're actually up there...) please help these people, thanks in advance 😉

Where did you get the idea that this Clown is a leading guru of our time? Every time you brought him up before, I honestly had no clue who you were talking about. People will swallow anything—everyone gets the guru they deserve. These gurus only exist because the "flock" creates them; if there weren't people desperate enough to need them, these guys wouldn't exist. It's just like how many idiots fell for the nonsense pushed by Zlatko Sudac... by the way, I barely lasted two seconds looking at that Clown's stare in a three-minute video, but based on those two seconds, I'm free to conclude—and I have zero doubts about this—that the guy is a narcissistic psychopath. I don't know why you're fixated on that face like he's someone actually important

bluemason3 said:Not really. I’ll take all perspectives into account, though I find many consumers a bit too unstable to give much weight to. Honestly, I’d rather listen to an expert who lacks hands-on experience than someone erratic. Besides, everyone’s experiences vary wildly—especially how they interpret them. Some people spiral into mystical fantasies or paranoia, others (including myself, if you're implying I've never messed around with hallucinogens ) stay pretty grounded without it bleeding into daily life, and then there are the third group who have zero meaningful experience and can't fathom why anyone would care about this stuff.

The worst part is when you trap yourself in an echo chamber of similar (ideological and experiential ) ideas, actively hunting for validation while ignoring anything that contradicts your view. This is especially dangerous with things as susceptible to suggestion, expectation, and environment as hallucinogens (or even trance-like states triggered by spiritual practices ).

I wasn't talking about you, and I know you've used LSD—my point was that no matter how much someone describes the taste of honey, you won't actually know what it tastes like until you try it (some might be more sensitive to the flavor, some might be moved by it, and others might find nothing interesting about it at all).
Well, sure, you took LSD; you probably did your research beforehand, but it was still fundamentally different from whatever assumption you held based on that data—or was it?
You likely researched before traveling to some remote, exotic destination, yet the actual trip turned out to be something else entirely—the map is not the territory.
And since we're on the subject of psychedelics, based on my own fairly extensive experience, I haven't found them to be particularly dependent on suggestion, setting, or expectations—but that’s just my take.

I was simply using the psychedelic experience as a metaphor for a spiritual one.

You're essentially denying the authenticity of any spiritual experience, dismissing them as subjective delusions triggered by setting and suggestion, whereas I believe only the *interpretation* and subsequent perception of a spiritual experience are subjective—assuming, of course, that the experience itself is authentic.

bluemason3 said:I don't think they are; it’s just that growing mushrooms is illegal.

Theoretically, someone could monitor these conversations just to hunt for anyone growing mushrooms, but honestly, that seems like a massive waste of resources. Unless you're buying enough to suspect actual industrial-scale production or large-scale distribution, it’s pretty pointless.

It isn't an opiate. It's more like LSD in the sense that we're talking about serotonergic hallucinogens.

I wouldn't jump straight into using anything without knowing the subject matter better. Give yourself at least a few months to really dig in and understand what you’re deciding on. Make sure you look at it from all angles, not just the ones that sound good to you. Sites like Erowid are a solid place to start your research.

Also, if there’s any sign of personal or family history involving mental health issues linked to neurotransmitter hyperactivity—specifically manic episodes, psychosis, or indicators of schizophrenia—it's probably a no-go. The same applies if you deal with depersonalization, derealization, or more serious physical concerns like heart issues, blood pressure, or metabolic problems. Better to steer clear.

having one concrete experience with a shamanic dose would absolutely shatter everything you've read about mushrooms, their effects, scientific analyses, and personal accounts alike...

this is a perfect example of what usually happens—two people "debating," where one actually practices yoga while the other has just read neatly organized studies about yoga and laments them as general truths. after ten or twenty years of wandering on my own, you realize it doesn't actually work like that. so, I'll respect your opinion over the opinion of some ideology student (or whatever) or a bedroom meditation practitioner (mantra chanting)...

and it's not that the difference isn't noticeable, nor is it that these debates aren't completely pointless...

say you decide to go through with it—are you going to value someone's personal experience with wild mushrooms, or the opinion of someone who "knows everything" about them but has never actually tried them? (there's almost zero chance those two perspectives will ever align)

I believe you'll be much more interested in what the person who actually consumed the crazy mushrooms has to say—though even that isn't, and doesn't have to be, a reliable metric, because there really is no metric...

Zachary Cox69 said:Haha, not great.

I heard you were over in Vietnam back in '91.

lonestag15 said:Look, I didn't catch you saying it, but if this guy is actually demanding a completed form, that's pretty responsible... send over a sample so I can see the specific questions they're asking

But anyway, here’s an example from Osho's ashram, and then a more recent one from Nithyananda—who is completely unhinged and just feeds delusions to followers who are convinced they’ve got or are about to get supernatural powers...

Anyway, the form is on the linked page; just scroll to the bottom. Takes maybe thirty seconds to find.

frozengull2 said:You again...
Like a broken record, man.

Look, dude!
I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but some things just need to be laid out straight.
Your problem is impotence.
And what do I mean by that?

A total lack of ideas!

The most comfortable spot on this entire forum is where you sit—just trolling.
Just constant bullshit directed at everyone else's ideas, their passions, their fantasies, their beliefs... just crap for the sake of crap.
It’s the easiest thing in the world to do.
But to actually step out into the light with something of your own; a vision of spirituality, or some personal experience (no matter how ridiculous it might sound to others), that isn't easy.
People are always gonna mock you or tear you down for it.
They’ll be like, "Look at this clown..."
Right?

For instance, I don't agree with like 90% of the stuff people post here, but I respect that they actually have the guts to put their weird little obsessions out there and take the heat for it.
Sometimes I’ll throw a jab too, but deep down, I respect the nerve it takes to strip yourself bare like that and share an internal experience.
No matter how much of a "phase" or whatever those ideas are, one thing is certain: they aren't "idea-less."
Because the person sharing them isn't just sitting comfortably in the passenger seat as an "exclusive critic of other people's thoughts."
Which is exactly what your whole pathetic routine is here!

There is nothing worse on a forum than running into some triggered cynic, some ideologically obsessed critic, or some propaganda-driven spin doctor who never brings anything original to the table (never puts their neck on the line), but just relentlessly shits on anyone brave enough to try.
Those kinds of idiots literally kill threads.
They drive people away and poison the whole damn space.

Yeah, that's you, Terminator!

An idea-less, fundamentally hollow machine built for messing around.

If I'm wrong, then screw me, I'm calling you out without any arguments... the best way you could prove me wrong would be to actually come up with something original—something that belongs to *you*.
Describe or share some actual spiritual experience (without the cynical mocking or empty dodging).
Even if we end up laughing ourselves silly...

Or maybe even laugh at your expense.

Think that sounds fair!?

If nothing else, at least you'd show you've got balls.

You feel me, little guy...?

Little guy, I'm not mocking you, but where are your crazy ideas ever presented and sifted through public opinion? Usually, you just show up to pick on someone and then vanish. Doesn't that scream sterility, frigidity, and frustration? This sounds a lot like a detailed reading of a mirror image—a sort of self-diagnosis—which doesn't mean it doesn't also apply to the person you're targeting. 🎉

lonestag15 said:In Osho's ashrams, there were tons of people dealing with serious psychological issues (who clearly weren't filling out any damn paperwork)... you could really see how much the practitioners were struggling

As far as I can remember, it was mostly because of that practice where you shake and jump around, then scream until you finally end up standing perfectly still and silent... can't remember the exact name...

So, who's this mentor of yours? If they have a website, drop the link so I can do some digging...

I linked it for you on the previous page; you missed it. Just click and fill out the form.

lonestag15 said:You already covered all that—it’s totally possible that some pre-existing condition is what actually pushed the guy toward that whole line of inquiry at the very start of the story...

But hey, here’s that question I already threw at you—the one you totally brushed off...
Have you ever actually heard a guru ask a student, "Hey, do you have a mental illness?" or maybe, "Is there a history of mental health issues in your family?"... just kidding, but seriously...
So, what are we actually getting here—is this the real deal, the original practice, or just some New Age distortion...?

Contemplative or ascetic practices aren't really the backbone of Christian faith... at least not within the broader community, where people don't exactly go overboard with that stuff. Prayer usually just boils down to reciting lines, so it isn't even close to what actual contemplation means in the true sense of the word...

So, Kundalini awakening is basically the biggest trend right now—at least when people around here start talking about Hinduism...

With my New Age mentor, you can't access a single technique without filling out a form that specifically asks about mental health history and heart conditions (along with the usual stuff like name, DOB, etc.). This has been the standard since the eighties, even for online sign-ups—unless it's an open lecture or public forum where anyone can attend with notice.

I've noticed you trying to dodge this question several times now... and I guarantee you that any serious teacher asks exactly these things. Believe what you want, though.

Here's a sample application form: Corporate Mindfulness

Go ahead—fill it out.

Steven Stewart3 said:Alright, let's get into this because people constantly mix these two up, and honestly, there's a massive difference between schizophrenia and psychosis! It’s not like they're the exact same thing, even though everyone uses the terms interchangeably. Think of it like this: psychosis is more of a symptom—a specific experience where your brain starts playing tricks on you, making things feel super real when they aren't—whereas schizophrenia is the actual clinical diagnosis. You can have a psychotic episode without having schizophrenia, but if someone has schizophrenia, they'll definitely deal with psychosis at some point. It's a huge distinction, so don't go tossing them around like they're synonyms!
Honestly, I feel like most people diving deep into the spiritual scene are just dealing with a bit of psychosis. It’s a different ballgame when you start seeing actual psychopathy or full-blown madness creeping in—that’s where things get truly heavy. But hey, I think most of us pretty much get what I mean, right?

It’s all of the above, and honestly, there isn't much of a distinction in practice. You're usually diagnosed with acute psychosis first; nobody just walks in and gets handed a schizophrenia diagnosis right away. It takes a few episodes or however the clinical process works before they label it schizophrenia. No one starts out with a schizophrenia diagnosis—it's always acute psychosis. Let's not kid ourselves...

The idea that most spiritual seekers suffer from psychosis is nonsense. If anything, psychosis latches onto spirituality. Spirituality has nothing to do with psychosis, just like any other interest might. A psychotic individual can fixate on anything—spirituality is just one more thing they can get hung up on.

Steven Stewart3 said:Haha, well, if I'm being totally honest, I definitely fall into that ADHD category.
I guess we'll see! I'm feeling pretty good right now, even when I take a little bit and it hits me a bit hard.😵

It can absolutely trigger psychosis in people who are already predisposed—it's definitely not for everyone. Basically, it's a hard NO for anyone with a family history of mental illness . Unless you're already in the middle of an episode, then there isn't much of a difference... 😵

bluemason3 said:I don't think they are; it’s just that growing mushrooms is illegal.

Theoretically, someone could monitor these conversations just to hunt for anyone growing mushrooms, but honestly, that seems like a massive waste of resources. Unless you're buying enough to suspect actual industrial-scale production or large-scale distribution, it’s pretty pointless.

It isn't an opiate. It's more like LSD in the sense that we're talking about serotonergic hallucinogens.

I wouldn't jump straight into using anything without knowing the subject matter better. Give yourself at least a few months to really dig in and understand what you’re deciding on. Make sure you look at it from all angles, not just the ones that sound good to you. Sites like Erowid are a solid place to start your research.

Also, if there’s any sign of personal or family history involving mental health issues linked to neurotransmitter hyperactivity—specifically manic episodes, psychosis, or indicators of schizophrenia—it's probably a no-go. The same applies if you deal with depersonalization, derealization, or more serious physical concerns like heart issues, blood pressure, or metabolic problems. Better to steer clear.

What kind of nonsense is that—calling it "unconditional love"... 🤣

Steven Stewart3 said:So how does that actually work though? Is it like an opioid, or more like LSD, or something else entirely?

It’s incomparable to any other psychedelic. LSD is more of a straight line—a steady state—whereas fungi are a full-blown rollercoaster of intense experiences (they have this incredibly distinct internal rhythm). They can punch right through you into genuine spiritual territory. My take? It’s easily the greatest thing ever; it's like a massive reservoir of pure knowledge. After a 'proper' trip, you walk away feeling like something actually *happened* to you for once in your life... and what happened is basically indescribable 😍. We're talking shamanic initiation vibes—everything from being swallowed by a serpent to experiencing total oneness... death and burial rituals leading straight into incredible bliss... It definitely isn't for everyone—as Terence McKenna says, Psychedelics don't work on Stupid People

bluemason3 said:The police aren't going to waste their time chasing stuff like this; they might go after a dealer, but that's about it. There's zero logic in burning through IT resources and administrative paperwork to track an online order just to bust someone for three cacti, especially when it's just a misdemeanor at most.

Especially if you're using the dark web with all the standard privacy tools (Tor, VPNs, encryption...). Sure, nothing is unhackable, but you have to ask yourself: who is actually going to spend massive intelligence resources on Joe Biden and his three little spores (which I'm pretty sure are legal on their own anyway, so there's hardly any reason to dive into the dark web for them).

Exactly. And honestly, I'm not even sure if those substances are on the controlled list yet—you don't even need the dark web for this kind of thing.

Steven Stewart3 said:Man, I don't know... the thought of the cops breathing down my neck totally freaks me out. I heard you can actually order spores (if that's what you call mushroom seeds?) online where you basically pay like two bucks for shipping and they send the rest for free from the Netherlands. Has anyone here actually tried doing that, or maybe someone else on the forums?
Trump would definitely go for it, but I'm stuck out here in Slough while you're probably hanging out in NYC, so it's just not worth the trip.

Basically, you just order a couple of syringes and clone the spores from the "product"—which means, theoretically, you've got an infinite loop going.

Steven Stewart3 said:So, what did you actually order from that 10kg stash of yours? What kind of good drugs and heavy hitters are we talking about? Please tell me it isn't just some fiber supplements to help you poop better!😁
Give me a hint about what's actually worth it. Have you tried anything for staying wired? Like psychostimulants (Modafinil or something along those lines)?

Trading my psilocybin cubensis for some edibles. You can grow the spores yourself without any hassle; you could pick up a syringe in Vienna or just grab something on eBay.